I just returned from a 13-day road trip across much of Southern California. I spent five days in Mammoth catching the Miracle March storm of the season, which brought in excess of 50 inches while I was there. It was still snowing when I left for Ventura to see friends and enjoy some of the unseasonably warm water and large surf brought about by El Nino.
I have a love-hate relationship with how I have set up my life to be able to work from anywhere. When people ask me what I do, I often like to ask back, “What does it look like?”
The replies vary, but most often it is said that it looks like I get to do what I enjoy for a living. And I do. I am, it seems, in a perpetual cycle of packing and unpacking for the next trip or assignment, and this trip was no different, up to and including very often having my compadres tres hermanos in the van with me — my three sons, that is. We have it worked out so they know dad has to work everyday but that some serious play time is always in store. It is a key to happiness and contentment, I think, and I like to have them experience it with me firsthand.
But as much as I enjoy taking to the road or the sky to see the next project to fruition, I have always, as many people do, felt a lingering yearning for the familiarity of home. Of this I am sure all can relate, but especially those whose careers require constant traveling. It is not always what it is cracked up to be, and they will attest to this. There is an element of disheveled upending that permeates life on the road, and although when I am at home for any length of time my nomadic nature beckons it, I at once notice it when on the road and fight not to despise it.
This last trip was different, however. I did not want to come home, and granted it may have had something to do with the absolute epic snow and ocean conditions I happened upon this round. Rarely on any trip do all pistons fire like this. I was having so much fun that even breaking a fingertip did not stop me from heading out for a late afternoon session in Rincon’s 6 to 8-foot surf.
Usually, I plan the last day of any of our treks to be a gradual one. We have breakfast with friends, go outside for a bit, then pack up for the drive. But this round, I kept mentally putting off until the last minute that I actually had to go home, and this is unlike me. We loaded a mess of gear into the van in pile fashion at 4 p.m. on the coast and drove throughout the night to St. George, all the while my resistance to coming here lingering.
So what gives?
I’ll tell you what. This place — with all its beauty, adventure, and appeal — is actually a vortex shit hole. It is wrought with the stench of nepotistic collusion by the leaders of this community. That is why.
I did not want to come home because home is where, in one week, a trial will take place that never should. A city has taken the defense of the unethical and illegal actions of an administration of a so-called university. The city has done this under the professed guise of legitimacy, but there is no other explanation. If Varlo Davenport is not convicted of assaulting Cassidy Sorenson, the level of implication of Biff Williams, Bill Christensen, Don Reid, the City of St. George, and perhaps even the Honorable Judge Ron Reed himself will be proportionately incomprehensible. In fact, it already is. But save they win their kangaroo charade of a prosecution, the proverbial shit is going to hit the fan so hard that the fan will break.
And mark my word here, people: the significance of this single trial is of dire importance to the citizens of St. George — a city that would be so much greater if its people would stand up to the cronyism perpetuated as divinely inspired leadership and get rid of it.
So no, I was not looking forward to coming home to St. George this time.
See you out there.
Hang in there Dallas, we need you!
Thanks for your VOICE Dallas. You are where you are needed.
While not accepting Dallas’ hysterical and apocalyptic view, it is clear that DSU wanted Davenport gone and the city is carrying the DSU’s water.
I met and talked with Dallas a few summers ago for about an hour. As I agree with a lot of his views, I found that he is a very negative person. In fact, while talking with him, I was thinking how sad and unhappy he must be. He had such a negative attitude about everything. Maybe that’s just the life of an opinion journalist. He looks like he has a lot of fun, but he just seem like a very unhappy person. This article doesn’t surprise me in the least. If there is something negative to be found, it’s seems that Dallas is your guy to find it.
Well Kelsey, I sure do appreciate the psychoanalysis, non-sequitur and straw man though it may be. Is there something about the argument I presented you find flawed? Do you disagree with my sentiment that returning to a place where the violation of a persons civil rights is not only common place at a university but that the city in which said school resides will protect it at all costs, ethical or not? Answer that question and you are fit to be in this discussion. The measure or degree of my happiness is irrelevant here. Think about it.
I find it ironic that you only find violating a person’s civil rights/constitutional rights a bad thing on issues YOU care about. If it’s a similar issue on something you don’t care about, you are very vocal about how insane these people are for feeling their rights are violated. I just find this particular article similar to our conversation a few years ago, only you thought those who’s rights were being violated got themselves into their situation therefore deserved what they were getting. Violation of someone’s rights regardless of the issue are still a violation.
I am also tired of the city officials “good buddy” and it’s “about who you know” way of doing things. I appreciate you exercising your right to free speach, but Dallas, this place is far from a “sh$& hole” as you say. Flip flopping on who you feel has a right to feel violated and the “crap hole” comment you made in this article has led me to conclude that you wear your negativity glasses more than you don’t.
We do have some people taking advantage of their positions, but a majority of the population here are great people who come together during a crisis, help each other when needed and promote happy living.
From what I have read, the DSU issue seems unfair and I agree with some of what you say, but to insult the entire area over this one issue is unfair. Its similar to insulting the entire YOU over this one article.
Oh some of us we’ll stand up. Count on it. Just keep us informed. As the words of the late great keyboardest and synthesizer pioneer Keith Emerson of ELP goes. I’ll be there, I’ll be there, I will be there. Brain Salad Surgery…
California is a perfect fit for you. Perhaps you could just stay there.
Don’t know the in’s and out’s of belonging to the Good Old Boys club here in St. George, but I can see when the established club enviroment show signs of stinking to hi heaven. Some folks are wondering, Has it always been this way? Or is this case an exception? We’ll see. Will be following this case’s outcome to see who is really to blame. The spotlight is turning on folks. Place your bets. My chips are going on the honest line.
Thank you Dallas for showing us what cow pies really look like and where they might be.
The jury will judge where that stink is actully coming from. Glad there wasn’t a plea deal.
Wake up SONS OF MA. To Kenneth tired of hearing that diatribe. I guess for you, questioning the dogma of authority has been CONDITIONED out of your system like Pavlov’s dog. SO WE UNDERSTAND. It’s not your fault that you are ignorant of the issues and your response is like a citizen of the former Soviet Union. AMERICANS DON’T RUN AWAY OR STICK THEIR HEADS IN THE GROUND LIKE OSTRICHES. I guess you have never been in a Foxhole with other Americans. It is a true eqaulizer. Sincerely a second class citizen of Washington County.
PS. This has nothing to do with GOD. It is about justice. If there is no justice in this world then God surely does not exist. Morals and dogma are useless if justice does not prevail. Is it not better to let 10 criminals go free then to have one innocent man be executed, or worse, go to jail for 20 years? This is why WE ARE AMERICANS. We need to get this right in Washington County. Belnap could have quelled this but he chose otherwise.
Why bring Washington County into this? What else could Belnap had done besides saying ‘What? There’s no case here, out of the office fella’
When I was about to leave st. George there was a mayoral campaign. One of the candidates, a woman, said that she wanted to return St.George back to the way it was when she was a little girl. My comment was so you want to remove all the paving and street lights and go back to one single flashing street light. They wanted snowbird money, but not to stay. Progressive is not in their vocabulary. A person does not need a negative outlook, but living in St. George for any length of time will certainly develop one.
Good point, but I am not sure if he couldn’t have quelled the matter. Perhaps Hyland knows more about this as I remember he was critical of the situation and at the time I was banking on Mr Belnap to do the right thing as I supported his campaign … Perhaps I am wrong and it was procedural in context. I don’t know, but until further notice, with all due respect, I will retract that part of my statement.